'Physically second best' Blues have work to do - Cullen

Leo Cullen admitted his Leinster side were physically second best in the latter stages of their URC opener in Zebre on Saturday, but the Blues boss was still happy to dust off the cobwebs with a bonus-point win.

Tries from Luke McGrath, Rhys Ruddock (2) and Jason Jenkins had given Leinster a 28-10 half-time lead and a try bonus, but the margin was whittled down to four after Zebre responded to Dave Kearney's unconverted try with a touchdown of their own.

Leinster prevailed, however, and will look to tighten things up ahead of their second match day next week at home to Benetton.

"We had a great first half, put ourselves in a really good, commanding position," Cullen said afterwards.

"Second half, we were probably a bit loose. In terms of the physical contact points of the game, we were second best for most of that second half.

"We have plenty to work on, as you'd probably expect early season. We've only played one pre-season game, some lads are only coming in for their first action of the season. It's nice to get a bonus-point win away from home but plenty to work on.

Jason Jenkins earned @LeinsterRugby their bonus-point try just before half-time to lead 28-10 at Zebre Watch live on @RTE2 & @RTEplayer #rterugby #ZEBvLEI #URC pic.twitter.com/V47lKpzRfT

"We've a number of players still being managed back, they will come into the frame next week."

Ring-rust notwithstanding, Cullen knows his side must step up a gear next week at the RDS for their second Italian job in a week.

"We watched Benetton have a real strong performance against Glasgow last night when we were at the hotel. So it'll be a big game and hopefully we get a big crowd at the RDS next week," Cullen said.

"Early in the season you're always searching for that